Accident Occurs When Suspected Drunk Driver Crashes Into Another Vehicle
A suspected drunk driver who was reported as driving recklessly in Sacramento on June 13 caused an accident. The crash occurred at about 2:00 in the afternoon along westbound U.S. 50 just east of the 16th Street off-ramp. Officers with the California Highway Patrol (CHP) reported that a driver was weaving in and out of the lanes in a Toyota Highlander when the vehicle crashed into a Ford Focus.
Reckless Driving Crash Being Investigated
Both vehicles pulled over to the right-hand side, and a phlebotomist was notified to meet with the Toyota driver to administer a BAC-level test to determine whether that individual was intoxicated. At the time of this report, no data had been released on injuries suffered in the accident. The incident investigation is ongoing.
Dangers of Drunk Driving
Around 28 fatalities occur in the United States each day that were caused by drunk drivers. A driver needs to have coordinated muscles, be alert and able to reason in order to drive safely. Drivers who are intoxicated either by alcohol or drugs do not have this ability. Studies have been conducted on the effects alcohol has on the body, and even a small amount (0.02 BAC) shows a decline in the driver’s ability to perform two tasks simultaneously and affects vision, such as the ability to track. The effects of driving while intoxicated include:
- Decreased reaction time: A drunk driver takes much longer to respond in an emergency situation. For example, if a pedestrian is in the process of crossing the street, an inebriated driver may not be able to react quickly enough to avoid striking them.
- Poor coordination: Motor skills such as hand and eye coordination and vision are affected in the intoxicated driver, which is the reason someone who is drunk cannot stand up straight and sways. Add this to driving, and it can quickly turn disastrous.
- Vision is impacted: Drinking can cause blurred vision and difficulties with eye movements. Because accurate vision is necessary for a driver to judge the distance to vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and others, driving can cause a serious accident.
- Concentration: It’s important to be able to concentrate while driving, such as watching for other cars, keeping your speed down, and obeying traffic laws. A drunk driver cannot concentrate on too much at one time, which makes them a danger on the road.
- Lack of judgment: The decision-making abilities of an intoxicated driver are reduced. It means they can end up making foolish or dangerous last-second decisions, which can impact others’ safety.
When someone is injured by a drunk driver, they can face medical costs, lost wages, and the pain and suffering of the accident. Our injury attorneys have successfully represented many clients in obtaining fair compensation over the years. We do it knowing that it is unfair for someone to commit a negligent act that harms another. They should be the ones financially responsible, not the injured party.
Sacramento Car Accident Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento car accident lawyer. Drunk drivers cause many serious injuries and fatalities each year across the country. If an intoxicated driver caused your injuries, you may be able to claim compensation. Phone me at (916) 921-6400 locally or (800) 404-5400 from long-distance for my free and friendly advice. An online message form is available also.
My legal team and I have helped many Sacramentans over the years to obtain fair compensation for all varieties of traffic accidents, traumas such as brain injuries, and wrongful deaths.
Among the organizations I belong to, I’m especially honored to be a member of the following:
The following links illustrate how my law office has helped others since 1982:
Photo attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/drink-driving-drunk-alcohol-808790/
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